On June 21, Inner Banks Outfitters will host some Summer fun: a Wine and Cheese Paddle on the Pamlico River.

Inner Banks Outfitters, a Washington business located on East Main Street rents and sells kayaks and bikes, along with hosting several social events. The Wine and Cheese Paddle begins on Runyon Creek at 5 p.m. and takes paddlers to Castle Island. On the island, a cheese and cracker spread will be available along with a selection of wine and beer.

Paddlers will have a chance to socialize with each other on the island for an hour before paddling back to Inner Banks Outfitters.

“We go to the back side of Castle Island, which some people don’t realize but there are beaches back there,” said Liane Harsh, owner of Inner Banks Outfitters. “When the water is low, it is very tropical in the middle of Washington, and it gives that illusion of a tropical paradise.”

After the paddle is completed between 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Harsh and her staff invite people back to her business to allow people to continue to socialize.

“I think people walk away with new friends from this event-happy because it is such a cool setting,” Harsh said.

Harsh said when she hosts these paddles she gets a lot of first-time paddlers and newcomers to her river paddles.

Harsh’s future goal for the Wine and Cheese Paddle is to have somebody playing live music on the island.

“We get more creative with the Wine and Cheese Paddles each time,” Harsh said. “We want to make it more unique even though it already is because I don’t know where else you can do something like this. We are always adding something fun to the mix.”

The cost for the Wine and Cheese Paddle is $45 to rent a kayak, which includes the food and alcohol. If paddlers bring their own kayak the cost is $20. Single and tandem kayaks are available.